Improvement in signs



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N0, 141,281l 1 Pa1enred1u|y29;1873.

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tached to the sides of the frame.

UNITED STATES PATENT CEEICE.

. WILLIAM E. LAMBERT, or GENEsEo, ILLINOIS.

IMPRCVEMENT IN SIGNS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 141,281, dated July 29, 1873; application iile'd March 29, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. LAMBERT, of Geneseo, in the county of Henry and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Portable Signs; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, ret'- erence being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of signs wherein the letters are made separate or detachable; and it has for its object to furnish more simple and effective means for securing the letters in position. The

invention consists in applying to the backs of the detachable letters pivoted spring jaws or arms, which are adapted to be sprung under or into notches in a rod supporting the letters, said springs serving, in connection with hooked plates or clips attached to the letters and litted on the rod, asa medium for rmly retaining the letters in position while not preventing their easy removal when desired.

Figure l represents a rear view of a sign embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section taken through line c c, Fig. l.

Letters A and B may designate, respectively, the glass and frame of a store-window, show-case, orother object to which a sign is to be applied. Tothe reverse side of the windowframe, show-case, &c., there'is'appli'ed a rod or bar, @made/'either Straghtoncurved, and provided with downwardlyprojecting ends, which are inserted into eyes or staples a a at- The letters D are formed either ot' glass, metal, porcelain, or other suitable material 5 and,it' made of glass, a metallic plate, E, is cemented to the reverse side of the letter for the attachment of the fastening devices. Said fastening devices consist of one or more hooks or clips, d, riveted or soldered to the back of the letter, and tting over the rod G for preventing the downward movement of the former. The upward and horizontal displacement of the letter is prevented by jaws or arms e, which are formed of wire or other suitable metal, and provided with a horizontal pivot portion, passing through a loop or ear, f, attached to the letter. The lateral branches or arms of the springjaws are provided with horizontal upper terminations, which bear against the under side of the bar C; or they may enter notches b formed in the same, which, in certain cases, is preferable.

In order to apply the letter to its supportin g-rod C, it is only necessary to pass the clips or hooks d over the rod, and then, by pressing the spring-arms e under the latter, the elasticity ofthe metal will be suiiicient to retain the letter in position. When it is desired to remove any ofthe letters, all that is requisite is to turn the spring-jaw outward from under the rod, when the letter is left free to be disengaged.

The fastening devices, constructed and applied as shown, will permit the letters to be readily attached and removed, when desired, and this without removing the entire sign from its seat, as is usual in sectional signs heretofore constructed.

It will be apparent that any desired shape or curvature may be given to the lettersupportin grod in order to produce a corresponding disposition of the letters; and that the number of the rods and fastening devices may be increased according to the size of the sign or letters.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a sectional sign, the spring jaws or arms e, secured to the letters D for attaching the same to a plain or notched supporting-rod, C, in combination with the hooks or clips d, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

WILLIAM B. LAMBERT.

Witnesses:

PHILIP T. LAMBERT, LYcURcUs O. POWELL. 

